Japan Exchange & Teaching Program Alumni Association of Hawaii

2010 Kujira Hike!

Fact of the day: male whales are called ‘bulls,’ females, ‘cows,’ and newborns, ‘calves.’ On Sunday, March 21st, 2010, nineteen JETAA Hawaii members, JET alumni, friends, and family witnessed some whale breaching, tail slapping, and blowhole spouting action from the Makapu‘u Lighthouse Trail. It was a sight for sore eyes!

We gathered at the trailhead at 9:30 am, threw on the sunscreen, hydrated, and (leisurely) began our trek. There were many stops along the way to take some photos, talk story, take a breather, and look for any whale movement. Many of us shouted out like children at Disneyland whenever we spotted something, anything, that could have been those mystifying creatures. One of the passersby remarked, “I don’t get it. What are they all looking at? Am I supposed to be seeing something?” as she sighed and walked on by our group. So how many whales did we actually see: 1? 10? 200? Probably less than 10, but no one kept score as we just enjoyed the chance to get some sun, mingle, and enjoy the beauty of Hawaii.

And what would any local style event be without the eating and drinking? We headed over to Kona Brewing Company in the Koko Marina Shopping Center to replenish our bodies with delicious food as some of us threw back some Longboards and Fire Rocks. Thank you to the bulls, cows, and calves for a great show (better than Disneyland?!), and to all of you who made it out and worked up a sweat. Until next time…